The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 is designed to prepare educators to meet the unique needs of English learners in K-12 schools. The major is available for all interested students who are also seeking PK-3 teacher certification. Graduates of this program will be eligible to teach all subjects to PK-3 students in self-contained classrooms as well as in ESL K-12 classrooms. No minor is required. This undergraduate major qualifies graduates for the Michigan English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.
98%
of teaching, learning and education studies graduates working full time have a job related to their degree
97%
of teaching, learning and educational studies graduates working full time are satisfied with their jobs
95%
of College of Education and Human Development undergraduates participated in experience-driven education
Bachelor of Science in TESOL
Do you want to make a difference in children's lives? Do you want to bridge language barriers and empower speakers of other languages? Then the B.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) K-12 is right for you.
Through the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, you will be equiped with the tools needed to pursue a career teaching English as a second language. You'll gain practical skills in linguistics, teaching methods, and cross-cultural communication to become a proficient English language instructor. Through classroom learning and real-world experience, you'll be well-prepared to pursue a variety of rewarding career opportunities in English language teaching both domestically and internationally.
What you’ll learn
You'll learn about language acquisition theories, linguistics, and different teaching methodologies like communicative language teaching and task-based learning. Also, develop skills in curriculum development, classroom management, and assessment techniques. Cultural awareness is also emphasized to foster effective cross-cultural communication.
I chose TESOL because I wanted to prepare myself for welcoming refugees or minors from out of the country looking to learn.
Where you’ll be after graduation
Upon completion of this Bachelor of Science degrees, you will be prepared to teach all subjects to PK-3 students in self-contained classrooms as well as in ESL K-12 classrooms. Graduates have gone onto to teach at middle schools, bilingual elementary schools and non-profits serving immigrant students.
For 95% of College of Education and Human Development grads, they got that job or got into that graduate school program within three months of graduation. That is because your journey of self-discovery begins the moment you step on campus. At WMU's Career and Student Employment Services, career specialists help you align your passions and abilities with future careers and advanced degrees. They will connect you to practical experiences like internships, job shadowing, research projects, and professional mentors.
What other have achieved
Learn about the successful journeys of recent program graduates and the advice they have to share for prospective WMU students.
Meet Allison
Meet Gabi
Making the most of your learning experience
In the College of Education and Human Development, you'll embark on an incredible journey of experiential learning that goes beyond textbooks. Collaborating closely with faculty members, you'll dive into cutting-edge research, fieldwork and professional pursuits. Pushing the boundaries of the traditional classroom, you'll gain practical skills and make a tangible impact.
As a TESOL major, you'll have the opportunity through supervised teaching and internships, to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, work with diverse learners, and refine your teaching skills. Upon completion of this program, you'll be well-prepared to pursue a variety of rewarding career opportunities in English language teaching both domestically and internationally.
Are scholarships available?
Yes! You've put in the hard work—now it's time to see your reward.
Scholarships are an excellent way to help the reduce the costs of higher education. Whether you are entering college for the first time, transferring to WMU from another institution, or returning from a gap in your education, be sure to check out our scholarship options. Students earn scholarships for financial need, academic success and promoting multicultural awareness. Most are offered on a competitive basis.
Additional admissions requirements
In addition to completing all of the coursework required for the Elementary Education K-3 program, students will complete a planned program of study consisting of 24 credits of coursework for the TESOL K-12 major. An overall program grade point average of 3.0 or better is required to continue in this bachelor’s program.
